toleik



Oct. 25, 1932. .J. A. TOLEIK METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING SHEET STOCK Filed Dec. 2 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR Cb 7M BYWLM/noL M ATTORNEYS Oct. 25, 1932. J. A. TOLEIK METHOD ANB APPARATUS FOR SORTING SHEET STOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 RS lv 8. DQ d ATT RNEYS Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN A. TOLEII, OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO AMERICAN CAN GOI- IANY, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY KITHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING SHEET STOCK Application Med December 31, "1828. Serial No. 158,811.

. the sheets having them from the sheets of perfect surface,

The present method of sorting tinplate and the like is entirely by hand and the perfections must be noted by the eye of the person sorting the sheets. This method is expensive and on account of the personal element the sorting is subject to a great deal of Variation so that the imperfect sheets are not always separated from the perfect ones. This results in serious manufacturing diliiculties in a great many instances and serious loss when an imperfect sheet is used in the fabrication of articles in which perfect sheets are r uired.

t is an important object of my invention to detect imperfection, as waster spots, mechanically and automatically and to automatically separate the sheets having them from the sheets that meet the requirements of the use for which the sheets are needed.

Another'important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus which is highly sens tive and capable of detecting imperfections or spots of small dimensions on the surface of the sheet,'such as waster spots of approximately in diameter and which may be adjusted to detect even smaller imperfections upon occasion.

Another important object of my present invention is the provision of an apparatus, for the above-described purpose, for certain and positive action, whichwill be fully auto-. matic and capable of continued operation without attention; and which will consist offew and simple parts not likely to require frequent repair, replacement or readjustment.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred emodlment thereof.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 1s a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention, having portions thereof broken away to show details of construction and showing sheets of stock in different stages or positions in the machine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of 7 the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 taken substantially along the center line of the machine and illustrating the action thereof, and in-' cluding a wiring diagram or diagram of the electrical apparatus and connections; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail showing the discharge lever in changed position. or set to discharge the following sheet.

My present invention contemplates the projection of light rays onto the shiny surface -.of the sheets as they pass a given point to reflect to photoelectric cells, as selenium or the like, and to control the feeding action from said cells. When a waster spot passes the point at which the rays strike the sheet the reflection is interrupted and the imperfeet subject sheet is sorted out and discharged from the procession of sheets.

To accomplish this and to illustrate my invention, I have shown an apparatus or machine having abuse or table 11 over which the-sheets may be consecutively passed, and having an opening or slot 12 therein through which imperfect sheets may be discharged. A frame 13 extends up from the table 11, upon which means may be mounted for directing the imperfect sheets through the slot' 12. Conveying means are provided for com I secutively passing sheets over the table or over a surface thereof, which in the present instance includes sprockets 15 carried on a shaft 16 and suitably spaced apart over which are trained chains lTprovidedwith suitable lugs 20 to engage the rear edge of Similar sprockets 18 are preferthe sheets.

ably mounted above the sprockets 15 on a shaft 19 over which chains 21 run that are provided with one or more hooks or lugs 22 for. advancing sheets across the table after they pass beyond the chains 17. .The lugs 22 on the chains 21'are preferably of hook 1 0' form so that they will engage. beneath the rear edge of the sheets to carry this edge of the perfect sheets across the slot 12. The chains 17 are thus arranged below the path of the sheets and the chains 21 above said path, whereby a defective sheet may be passed downward out of said pat-h at a point beyond the chains 17.

The frame 13 may be secured to the table in any suitable manner and'is arranged to provide bearings for a cross shaft 23 upon which lever arms 24 may be arranged, substantially as shown. The frame 13 is also arranged to carry a solenoid magnet 25, the

a armature 72 of which is pivotally connected to a lever arm 27 fixed on the shaft 23 and which co-operates with the lever arms 24 and a spring 61 to provide a rocking lever for forcing the forward ends of an imperfect sheet 26 passing through the machine into the slot 12 (Fig. 2) so that further movement of the chains 21 will eject the sheet through the slot and thereby segregate the imperfect sheets. .A roller 28 may be provided in an end 29 of the arms24 to prevent scratching or marring the surface of the sheets. The roller 28 may be mounted in yielding or spring hearings or the arms 24 may be made flexible where the sheet stock to be separated is to heavy to permit of the required bending, as will be described.

Reference character 14 indicates means for detecting imperfect sheets as they are fed by the chains 17 and this means comprises a hood or chamber 31 above the sheet travel. A lamp box 32 is arranged on a front inclined wall 35 of the hood 31 and a lens 38 v is inserted in the wall 35-to direct a light in Fig. 3) while perfect sheets beam 36 downwardly and forwardly against the presented sheet surface so that the light beam strikes the sheet at an angle and will be reflected up at an angle if the sheet has its required shiny and unblcmlshed surface.

Light sensitive devices 33 (electron emission photoelectric cells) are placed in the hood 14 in position to receive the reflected light rays from the sheets and to control electrical currents for sorting the sheets. These cells 33 are preferably in small units, each detecting a small strip of sheet surface. They are mounted in brackets 43 upon a housing 34 (provided to contain certain electrical parts an wiring, to be presently described.

The actual sorting of the sheets is accomplished by directing the imperfect sheets through the slot 12 and permiting the perfect ones to be fed across it by the conveyer chains 21. The lever arms 24 are normally held in the elevated position (shown in dotted lines are passing through the machine. The electro-magnet 25, normally energized, holds the arm 24 elevated. When, however, a sheet with a waster spot is detected in the hood 14 the magnet 25 is deenergized and a spring 61 on armature stem l l l 72 lifts the lever arm 27 and depresses arms 24, moving the rolls onto the forward edg: of the imperfect sheet or into position to engaged thereby so that this edge is deflected .87 suitably geared into the power system of the machine. This cam has-an active part 80 adapted to engage a roll 85 on an arm 84 fixed on shaft 23 moving the parts to normal posi-' tion where the magnet 25 retains them until another imperfection or waster spot is detected.

The electric cells 33 may be any suitable devices which will control the flow of current in a circuit in which it may be connected, in accordance with the density oflight rays impinging thereagainst or penetrating the cell, and to illustrate my invention I have shown diagrammatically such a device that is commonly known as a photoelectric cell having spaced electrodes 41 and 42 either of which may be the anode or the cathode. The space between the electrodes may contain any substance which will conduct current in accordance with the density of the reflected light rays impinging thereagainst or penetrating the substance. In Fig. 2 is disclosed the atpresent preferred wiring and electrical parts provided to enable the light sensitive elements 33 to control the magnet 25. The showing is diagrammatic and it will be understood that the parts, connections, etcare located in the present instance in housing 34. For detecting current flow in the cells 33 and controlling the magnet 25, I employ vacuum tubes of the thermionic valve type and commonly known as three-element vacuum tubes. These are indicated at 44 and each has a plate 45, a grid 46 and a heating filament 47. The filaments 47 of the tubes may be energized or heated by a suitable battery 48 and suitably connected to a common circuit indicated by wires 49 and 51 controlled by a variable resistance element 52. A positive potential is maintained on the plates 45 and on the electrodes 41 of the cells 33 by means of a battery 53, thepositive pole of which is connected to the plates through the winding of one or more solenoids or relays 54 and the negative pole is connected to the wire 51 of the filament circuit. A battery 55 is or may be provided for maintaining a negative potential .on the grids 46 of the tube 44 and the electrode 42 of the cells 33, the positive pole of the battery 55 7 naagoao tery 55 being connected to the grids 46 and electrodes 42 through variable biasing resistance elements 56.

The delivery of current to the magnet 25 is controlled by the solenoid relays 54 in such fashion that current is continuously delivered to the magnet 25 so long as the light beam is reflected with full intensity against the photoelectric cells 33. The magnet 25 receives its current from any suitable source of electric power, a generator 57 being disclosed on the drawings for the purposes of illustration. The opposite pole of this generator is connected by a wire 58 to the solenoid from which it passes through a wire 101 to a junction 102 thence a wire 193 through a lamp 83. From the lamp 83 the circuit is completed through wire 59 to the generator.

Means are provided at each relay 54 to short circuit the current passing through the magnet 25 when a waster spot is detected in the head ll. These means comprise two con tacts 105 arranged at each relay 54 and adapted to be thrown into electrical contact by the armature oil such relay. The contacts 105 are connected by wires 81 and 82 resrectively with the lead. 58 and a second wire 104. Gun

rent now flows through a short circuit past the magnet 25 follows: wire 58, wire 8i, contacts 105), wire 82. wire 104 to junction. M2 and thence hack through the lamp 83 to the generator 57. The establishment of th s circuit immediately results in the spring 61 moving up the armature of magnet 25.

The upper end oi armature stem 72 carries cont-act bridge member Z3 eng'c two contacts i land i arranged in an urhor 6 at the top of the frame l3. As soon as waster spot has passed the. zone oi detection the contacts 1% hroua'ht into tricol connection are ele trically separated and current then immediately flows throuch a circuit as "Follows: wire 58 to contact llld which is connected hy wire with contact 7 "om toe contact M- the circuit continues through contact 73 and 75 from the contact (5 a wire 310$; to contact 102 from whence the current i completed on around through the to the generator described;

thus maniie all of the circuits iron the ccncratoi pass the lomo q protecting generator nst sp ring oy reason or the short circuit-ins: the operation of ti e generator l c continuous without damage the apparatus. theli s88 recei currentdu' cthenor. noel operation or the sheet lee in series wi h the magnet direc cm the oerfect sheets are de ected,

orator when provides a visilne sitnal of the condition sit the sheets ed through the detecting and sorting mechan 1 I In order that there may be no movement or the arm 24 to hringvthe roller 28 to sheet ejecting position because of variation in the photo-electric or 1i ht sensitive cells 33, the upper surface of t e table 11 is preferably finished or polished to a reflective power of the surface of the perfect sheet of meta] it is intended to feed through the apparatus.

The width of each photoelectric cell 33 is determined by the amount of light that it is desired to make use of in detecting a spot of a given size. For example, if the total amount of light entering the cell 33 is considered 100% and if its width is, for example, one inch, then if it is desired to detect a waster spot, this bein dull and poorly reflecting, having a widt it is evident that a spot of this size would cut oil or fail to reflect that amount of light and the total volume of light entering the cell would be approximately 87%%. It has been found that a photo-electric cell is sutlicicntly sensitive to a change of light equal to 10% and that upon such a change there is a sufficient variation in the. impulses in the cell to cause or permit mechanical operation of a relay or other suitable form of mechanism for performing a function or work. In my apparatus therefore as clearly illustrated in l) l have provided a series of cells 33 each of which is connected with a separate control unit.

These cells are preferably located close to the surface of the table to obtain the mash mum heneiit l 'rom the beam and a minimum of interference through stray light beams.

The. conveyor chain 1? may he arranged to receive the sheet stock from any usual stsclr feed device conveys the sheets over the top surface of the table ll substantially shown and through the focused light beams and beneath the housing El. sheet be perfect there will he no change in the light rays since the surfaces of the sheet and table are or substantially lilre reflecting power and do not cause the light rays to deiiect from the cells and the sl t will pass on out of the housing he engaged hy the conveyor carried across the top surface of the table to suitable discharge where the sheets rosy he restocked in any suitahle manner.

the sheet is not "feet the light beams v7 either deflect from their normal course or varied in density by the power oi rei'lec t on so there will he a change of current flow in at least one of the cells 33., When this occurs will he ti -ang e in the potential'oni cor d 326 one m the tubes is Wlllfill change of curse ilow in u. the corresponding relay 5%: which short circuit the magnet so he deenergised and permit the sonar ill move the lever arm 24 about the shaft 23 from normal position to the position shown (Fig. 2) to cause the imperfect sheet to he able manner.

When a waster spot has been detected the arm 24 has moved down by the spring 61 as already described into position to deflect the end of the imperfect sheet downwardly through the slot12. The parts stay in this relation until the cam '86 resets them, which resetting action does not occur until after practically the entire sheet has passed through the slot. This shifting or resetting of the lever 24 takes place just prior to the moving of the forward edge of the succeeding sheet into position adjacent the slot.

The resetting of the arm 24 under the action of the cam 86 interrupts the circuit through the contacts 74-7375 and since at this time the contacts 105 are open the cir cuit which passes through the winding of magnet 25 (already described) is reestablished and normal operation of the apparatus continued until another waster spot causes the sorting out of the sheet having it.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may. be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, means directing a focused light beam to a predetermined point, an endless chain conveyer continuously moving sheets through the light beam and having means to engage the rear edge of and propel the sheet, and means operable by variations of the reflections of the light beam from the surface of the sheets for sorting the sheets in accordance with the condition of the surface thereof.

2. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, means directing a focused light beam to a predetermined point, an endless chain conveyer continuously passing sheets through the light beam in a plane that will cause the light beam to be reflected from the surface of the sheet stock at an angle and having means to engage the rear edge of and propel the sheet, and means interrupting the reflected light rays and controlled by variations thereof for separating the sheets.

3. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, an endless chain conveyer continuously conveying sheets in a horizontal plane and having means to engage the rear edge of and propel the sheet, and means directing a focused light beam angularly onto said sheetsfor detecting imperfect sheets.

4. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, an endless chain conveyor continuously conveying sheets in a single plane and in processional order and having means to engage the rear edge of and propel the sheet, means for diverting imperfect sheets from said plane, and light controlled means sheets for controlling said last mentioned means.

6. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, an endless chain conveyor continuously conveying sheets in a single lane and in process'ional order, means for diverting imperfect sheets from said plane, and means including photo-electric cells arranged in a series transversely of the sheet for control by variations in light reflections from the sheets for controlling said last mentioned means. I

7. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, an endless chain conveyor continuously conveying the sheets in a single plane and in processional order, means for diverting im erfect sheets from said plane, and means or controlling said last mentioned means for directing a focused light beam onto the sheets and light sensitive devices arranged in a series transversely of the sheet for control b reflections of the light beam from the sur aces of the sheets.

8. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, means for conveying the sheets in a single plane and in processional order, means for diverting imperfect sheets from said, plane, and means including a magnet and armature and electric circuit for controlling said last mentioned means, light generating apparatus arranged to project light onto the surfaces of the sheets at an angle to the surface of the sheets, and electrical devices arranged in series transversely of the sheet for detecting variations in the light and affecting said electric circuit.

9. An apparatus for sorting sheet metal in accordance with the condition of the surface thereof, comprising, a base having a reflecting surface, means directing light rays onto said surface and at an angle to the plane thereof, means for passing the sheet stock consecutively over said surface and through the light rays, and means for separating the sheets in accordance with the condition of the surfaces thereof, said means being conin accordance with the condition of the surface thereof, comprising, a base having a reflecting surface, means directing light rays onto said surface and at an angle to the plane thereof, means for passing the sheet stock consecutively over said surface and through the light rays, and means for separating the sheets in accordance with the condition of the surface thereof, said means including a light sensitive device arran ed in the path of the normally reflected lig t and for control by variations in the density of the reflected light.

11 An apparatus for sorting sheet metal stock, comprising, a table having a slot therein, conveying means moving the sheets in processional order across said slot, a device adapted to engage imperfect sheets in said processionai order and direct them into said slot and light-sensitive means controlling the operation of said engaging device.

12, apparatus for sorting sheet metal stock, comprising, a table having a slot therein, conve means moving the sheets in processional or across said slot, and a device adapted engage imperfect sheets in said processions and direct them into said slot, 1 ans comprising an electrically operated pi e lever, and light-sensitive means controlling the operation of said lever.

a paratns for sorting sheet metal stock, con sing, a table across which the sheets to be sorted moved in processionai c a slot, a detecting device l imperfections, and an tra ed lever controlled by said M for directing said imperfect a for sorting sheet metal cor with the condition of the f, comprising, a table across are a apted. to he moved in er hav'ag a slot through sheets are he directed, a vice controiied lay the sut= aid sheets, and means act sence of said light sensitive imperfect sheets through iaratns sorting 1.. e ordance with. the condition of the surface thereof, comprising, means for war ing the sheets consecutively along a predetermined path, detectin means for detecting imperfectlons in the sur ace of the sheet while the sheet is passing along said ath, mechanical means for deflecting imper ect sheets from said ath, and electrical means controlled by said etecting means for preventing operation of said mechanical means to permit the free passage of perfect sheets. I

17. An apparatus for sorting sheet metal stock in accordance with the condition of the surface thereof, comprising, a table having a slot therein, means for moving the sheets consecutivel across said table, detecting means for etecting imperfect sheets, and a rocking lever for directin imperfect sheets through the slot in said to le, said means in cluding a rocking lever electrically held in a norma position permitting the free passage of sheets across said table and means operable on the release of the electrical holding means for moving said rocking lever to an operative position wherein it will cause imperfect sheets to be projected through said slot, said last mentioned means being adapted to prevent operation of the electrical holding means until the selected sheet is projected into the slot.

18. An apparatus for sorting sheet metal stock in accordance with the condition of the surface thereof, comprising, a table having a slot therein, means for moving the sheets consecntively'across said table, detecting means for detecting imperfect sheets, means for directing imperfect sheets throngh the siot in said table, said means comprising, a re iting lever having a norinai position permitting perfect sheets to pass freely across the table and an operative position causing the projection of imperfect sheets into the siot of the tahle, electrical hoiding said lever in the normal position, mechanical means for moving said lever to operative position when the electrical means is tie-energised, and means associated with said means for prevent ing the ire-energizing d electrical means to hold said recinne stock in accordance W operative position i n a: means dc-energized, and a cam operated device for restoring said lever to normai position and re-energizing' the electricai holding means-after the selected sheet has been" 20. A method of sorting sheet stock, which consists in passing sheets in processional order through a tranverse series of beams of light, reflecting said beams from the shiny' .of the same article and causing the conveyor parts of said sheets, controlling an electric flow by the amount of the reflected beams, and causing the deflection from said order of insufficiently reflecting sheets by the agency of said electric flow..

21. An apparatus for sorting sheet stock, comprising, means directing a transverse series of focused light beams to a series of predetermined points, means for moving sheets through the light beams,-and lightsensitive material controlled by the reflection of the light beams from the surface of the sheets, an electric circuit affected by said light-sensitive material, a relay controlled by said circuit, a second electric circuit con trolled by said relay, a magnet in said second circuit, and sheet-sorting means controlled by said magnet.

said means. i

26. A sorting device includin a conve or for carrying a lurality of artic es, and e ectrically control ed means for examining each article for difference in shade between parts to discharge said articles in accordance therewit 27. A device of the character described including means to direct light from an artlcle, a conveyor to carry a plurality of articles successively into coaction with said means, and means including a plurality of photosen sitive cells simultaneously activated by the light, said means being operative accord ing to the difference in activation of the cells,

said means causing the conveyor to sort and discharge the articles accordin to the quan tiiy of light transmitted there rem.

JOHN A. TQLEIK.

22. The combination of a table having a surface of substantially the same light-refleeting property as have sheets to be passed over the same, an endless conveyer for propelling sheets over saidtable successively, light-sensitive means affected by light reflected from said sheets and from said table where there may be an interval between sheets and which is less affected by reflection of light from im J'erfcct sheets and means controlled 7 by said light sensitive means for deflecting said imperfect sheets, wherebysaid deflectin means are not operated by light reflecte from the table.-

23. In an article-sorting device, a photosensitive-cell, a source of light, means for causing an article to pass adjacent said cell and to reflect said light thereon, means responsive to a. change in the illumination of the cell for influencing the travel of said articles after they have passed beyond said cell and means controlled by said responsive means whereby said influencing means is prevented from being actuated a plurality of times by the same article.

24. In an article-sortin .device, a photosensitive cell, a source 0 light, means for causing articles to pass adjacent said cell and to reflect said light thereon, means responsive to a change in the illumination of said cell for determining the ultimate destination'of said articles, means for preventing said determining means from being actuated a plurality of times by-a single article and means controlled by said first mentioned means for periodically restoring said determining means to a normal state;

25. In an article-testing device, means for moving objects, means extending alon a line transverse to said motion for respon mg to light reflected from said objects and a source of illumination'extending parallel to 

